Hockey player fired for not signing flag for troops

[stignasty]

Hockey player fired for not signing flag for troops

Some support coach of Saint John Sea Dogs; others defend young Quebecer's freedom of expression

Last Updated: Monday, December 18, 2006 | 5:05 PM AT

CBC News

A junior hockey player has been ousted from the Saint John Sea Dogs after he did not sign a Canadian flag that the team was sending to troops in Afghanistan.

Dave Bouchard — a 20-year-old from Jonquière, Que., who played left wing on the Quebec Major Junior team — said he thought someone else had already signed his name.

But Sea Dogs coach Jacques Beaulieu said he did not accept that explanation and cut him from the team after Saturday's game.

"Morally, we have standards with this hockey team and that's a standard that we believe in," Beaulieu told CBC News Monday.

"I mean, if Dave doesn't believe in it, that's fine. But he won't be part of it. He won't be part of this organization. That's the standard that we set."

Beaulieu said he believes in freedom of expression but added that any player who refused to sign would have been kicked off the team.

"It wouldn't matter who it would have been. It could have been one of our best players, our first round pick."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/sto...hockeyflag.html

Besides the obvious question of freedom of speech, does anyone wonder about whether or not people should be writing on the flag? I realize that Canada doesn't hold to the USA's strong rules regarding the care of the national flag, but is this appropriate?

[geoffrey]

Freedom of speech only applies to the government. I can kick you out of my house because you say something I dislike, as I can also kick you off my hockey team.

This isn't a freedom issue, this is a private dispute between two individuals.

[Michael Hardner]

I can fire you because you said you don't like gays.

I can fire you because you're Dutch.

I can fire you because ... etc. etc.

[Charles Anthony]

I wonder who will receive this flag of signatures? Will these troops in Afghanistan learn that these loyal hockey players were threatened with expulsion?

Beaulieu said he believes in freedom of expression but added that any player who refused to sign would have been kicked off the team.

The coach of this hockey team does not believe in freedom of expression.

[MightyAC]

Ridiculous... I hope the player sues the coach for damages for wrongful dismissal. Since when can employers dictate what employees should believe in?

[M.Dancer]

According to the coach, his playing also didn't pass muster, so his actions, by not being a team player was the final straw.

[Black Dog]

Typical left-winger....

[Michael Hardner]

I'm wondering if this action would be deemed legal in Ontario ? I see no provision for freedom of political expression in the Ontario Human Rights Code.

From wiselaw.net

Employment

5. (1) Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, record of offences, marital status, same-sex partnership status, family status or disability.

[kimmy]

I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are a team in the Quebec Major-Junior league. I don't believe that players on major-junior teams are actually "employees".

-k

[guyser]

This will be fun to watch, especially when the coach gets his ass handed to him. Booting a guy off the team for not signing a flag.

Getting my popcorn now.

[Leafless]

I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are a team in the Quebec Major-Junior league. I don't believe that players on major-junior teams are actually "employees".

-k

Some Quebecers have a hard time trying to say what they really mean to say.

The coach probably meant he was 'kicked' off the team.

But then, who can set standards in Quebec when it is acknowledged Quebec is a 'nation within a united Canada'.

Most Quebecois consider Quebec is primary pertaining to Quebec nationalistic values and Canada is secondary.

If this is the case Dave Bouchard had every right NOT to sign the Canadian flag.

This is what happens when a country such as Canada is VOID of nationalistic values, pertaining to its national identity.

[Shakeyhands]

I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are a team in the Quebec Major-Junior league. I don't believe that players on major-junior teams are actually "employees".

-k

They are paid a stipend for their services plus are billeted in others homes (who are also paid) I would certainly consider them employeed?

[Michael Hardner]

If they get a T4 then they're employees.

[M.Dancer]

I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are a team in the Quebec Major-Junior league. I don't believe that players on major-junior teams are actually "employees".

-k

Some Quebecers have a hard time trying to say what they really mean to say.

The coach probably meant he was 'kicked' off the team.

But then, who can set standards in Quebec when it is acknowledged Quebec is a 'nation within a united Canada'.

Most Quebecois consider Quebec is primary pertaining to Quebec nationalistic values and Canada is secondary.

If this is the case Dave Bouchard had every right NOT to sign the Canadian flag.

This is what happens when a country such as Canada is VOID of nationalistic values, pertaining to its national identity.

What part of Quebec do you think Saint John is in?

[M.Dancer]

I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are a team in the Quebec Major-Junior league. I don't believe that players on major-junior teams are actually "employees".

-k

Some Quebecers have a hard time trying to say what they really mean to say.

The coach probably meant he was 'kicked' off the team.

But then, who can set standards in Quebec when it is acknowledged Quebec is a 'nation within a united Canada'.

Most Quebecois consider Quebec is primary pertaining to Quebec nationalistic values and Canada is secondary.

If this is the case Dave Bouchard had every right NOT to sign the Canadian flag.

This is what happens when a country such as Canada is VOID of nationalistic values, pertaining to its national identity.

This is the kind of post you get when Canadians get "graduated" from high school, regardless of merit.

[Leafless]

What part of Quebec do you think Saint John is in?

Quebec nationalistic identities and values are overwhelming in New Brunswick or the province wouldn't have been initially that DUMB, to declare itself the ONLY 'officially bilingual province' in the country of Canada.

New Brunswick is a clear case of Quebec running the show in another province, while Quebec itself, after declaring itself 'officially French, remains unilingual French.

[FTA Lawyer]

I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are a team in the Quebec Major-Junior league. I don't believe that players on major-junior teams are actually "employees".

-k

They are paid a stipend for their services plus are billeted in others homes (who are also paid) I would certainly consider them employeed?

In fact, the typical WHL (or in this case QMJHL) contract is far more detailed than the one most people have with their respective employer.

Bottom line here is that a coach, like any employer, has a wide discretion to "fire" a player. Best this kid can expect is some kind of severance pay, but that is probably determined in the fine print somewhere.

Is the coach a dick for using this as a reason to cut a player? Yes. Is it illegal? I don't see how.

FTA

[guyser]

In fact, the typical WHL (or in this case QMJHL) contract is far more detailed than the one most people have with their respective employer.

Bottom line here is that a coach, like any employer, has a wide discretion to "fire" a player. Best this kid can expect is some kind of severance pay, but that is probably determined in the fine print somewhere.

FTA

Really ? I would think that I could not be fired for refusing to agree to support a political notion presented by my boss when in fact no politcal affiliation is deemed necessary as a condition of employment.

[FTA Lawyer]

An employer can't ever be forced to give someone a job (or to keep them if they already have a job). You can undoubtedly be fired for no reason whatsoever...the only obligation of your employer is to give you reasonable notice (as set out in Employment Standards legislation and common-law) or to give you severance pay in lieu of reasonable notice.

If an employer wants to fire you "for cause" (and then have no obligation to give you notice or severance pay) then the cause must be one related to job performance or your trustworthiness as an employee.

Keep in mind, all of these statements are of course subject to the terms of an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement. If you can negotiate yourself better job security then good for you. Otherwise, your employment truly exists at the pleasure of your employer.

FTA

[jdobbin]

Freedom of speech only applies to the government. I can kick you out of my house because you say something I dislike, as I can also kick you off my hockey team.

And we can stop watching this hockey team.

[cybercoma]

What part of Quebec do you think Saint John is in?

Quebec nationalistic identities and values are overwhelming in New Brunswick or the province wouldn't have been initially that DUMB, to declare itself the ONLY 'officially bilingual province' in the country of Canada.

New Brunswick is a clear case of Quebec running the show in another province, while Quebec itself, after declaring itself 'officially French, remains unilingual French.

Quebec nationalistic identities in Saint John? hahahaha

You're funny.